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ToucanLife » The Toucan
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Posts by: The Toucan. January 6, 2013. February 1, 2012. Transmissions remind me of a fine timepiece – just as complex, except larger. The mystery surrounding how a transmission is assembled usually keeps people away from gearing changes – however this is where some of the best magic happens on the MINI. After much research and phone calls across the pond a shorter final drive and layshaft shaft set was sourced from a company in the United Kingdom, the Toucan’s birthplace. Like a fine watch, after re-ass...
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ToucanLife » Track Cars on the Street
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Track Cars on the Street. May 14, 2011. Ride safe, but party hard! Designed by Nicholas Firan.
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ToucanLife » I ♥ Plastic Arches
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June 19, 2011. Fitting the meaty 225/45/15 Hoosiers looked like an almost impossible task with a hint of possible thrown in. We started by cutting the plastic reinforcements and lip from behind the arches with a rotary tool. This made the arch more flexible and able to bend. From there we pulled out our friend the heat gun. Using some plastic melting heat we slowly massaged the arches out. Once pulled and hot we let them set using some cool water to lock them in the permanently flared out position.
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ToucanLife » More Wheel Drive
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January 20, 2012. Our good friends at AutoAnalyser Performance. Have been extremely generous to the Toucan by sharing their vast knowledge of race-car setup as well as helping us source toucan treats. The OEM open differential was something that had to go, and in-place went a Quaife Limited Slip unit to give Toucan grip with both it’s claws. First the transmission was pulled and the box was split. The belly of the beast – so many gears. Ring gear was removed from the factory open differential.
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ToucanLife » Hot-Rod Days
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January 10, 2012. Vintage hot-rods have always had a warm spot in our hearts – such unique stylish that has not been seen in many years. When we met Doug Marshall who owns a metal fabrication shop and builds vintage hot-rods – the gears immediately began to turn after some inspiration from these vintage machines. Within a few days Doug had the Toucan’s fenders and began working his metal magic. Some beautiful metal plates were made to fill in the MINI side scuttles. Beginning of the fill.
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ToucanLife » RIP
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October 22, 2011. Sometimes I come across photos of Took’s when she still had fun on the city streets and miss exploring new sights and sounds around the lands with her. Kind of makes me wish she wasn’t just confined to track duty only in her new life. Hoping Took’s new track life will be just as fun! Have been slacking with updates recently, but rest assured there is some exciting new events in the life and times of Tookie on the horizon that will be posted soon! Ride safe, but party hard!
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ToucanLife » Dressing Up
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January 7, 2012. Ride safe, but party hard! Designed by Nicholas Firan.
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ToucanLife » sticky
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January 6, 2013. Ride safe, but party hard! Designed by Nicholas Firan.
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ToucanLife » Christmas Diet
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December 26, 2011. More airflow, and less weight. 21 lbs removed off the nose. No crashing allowed now. Ride safe, but party hard! Designed by Nicholas Firan.
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ToucanLife » Cosmetic Surgery
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December 21, 2011. Toucans need to breathe too. So some dry carbon fiber vents direct from Italy came to the Toucan’s rescue. The Belly of the Beast. Slice and Dice – the stock hood X brace weighed in at 3.6lbs – easy weight loss. Cardboard templates were made of the scoops. Measure once, do it live. 11lb weight loss per side when replaced by the carbon vents – dieting made easy. An odd sight to see. Perhaps one of the weirdest feelings, next to sawing holes in a good hood – is drilling dry carbon.
